Amar Fashi Chai

128 Pages·2006·0.44 MB·English

Amar Fashi Chai

Freedom Fighter Motiur Rahman Rentu
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................5
SHEIKH HASINA IN POLITICS..................................................................................................7
THIS ZIA IS NOT THAT ZIA.......................................................................................................9
ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT ZIA.....................................................................................9
TRAINING IN LEBANON..........................................................................................................13
INVITING ERSHAD TO SEIZE POWER..................................................................................14
MID FEBRUARY STUDENT KILLING (1983)........................................................................15
The killing of Selim and Delwar...................................................................................................20
UNCIVILIZED UNPATRIOTIC FORCE...................................................................................23
REMOVE THE MOSQUE...........................................................................................................24
THE ELECTIONS OF 1986.........................................................................................................25
SUCH A LARGE FIELD.............................................................................................................28
THE PLAY ACTING OF POLITICAL MOVEMENT...............................................................29
DISSOLUTION OF ‘86 PARLIAMENT.....................................................................................29
THE FALL OF ERSHAD AND THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT....................................30
ROLE OF THE ARMY IN THE FALL OF ERSHAD................................................................31
DRAMA ABOUT RESIGNATION.............................................................................................33
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATURE AGAINST MONEY..........................................................33
JAHANARA IMAM AND SHAIKH HASINA...........................................................................34
GHOLAM AZAM - SHEIKH HASINA PARLEY......................................................................36
1992-HINDU-MUSLIM RIOT.....................................................................................................36
STOPPING FERRY BOATS.......................................................................................................39
SECOND MEETING BETWEEN SHEIKH HASINA AND GHOLAM AZAM.......................40
THE DEMAND FOR CANCELING ELECTION OF CITY CORPORATION.........................40
I WANT MY SHARE OF THE BOOTY.....................................................................................42
JAHANARA IMAM IS DEAD - THE DANGER IS GONE.......................................................43
SHEIKH HASINA’S TRAIN IS SHOT AT.................................................................................44
THE ADVANCE OF TAKA FIFTY THOUSAND.....................................................................46
SCATTERING OF FLOWER......................................................................................................49
MAINTAINING PET DOGS.......................................................................................................50
HUSBAND AND WIFE NEVER SLEPT TOGETHER..............................................................51
INJURIES ON THE PERSON OF SHEIKH HASINA...............................................................52
STRANGE CHARACTER, ACTION AND FATE.....................................................................53
SHALL NOT MARRY DAUGHTER TO COLLABORATOR’S SON.....................................54
LEAVE AT ONCE.......................................................................................................................54
ONE CRORE 37 LAKH TAKA...................................................................................................55
LEADER IS NOW SAYING PRAYERS ....................................................................................56
BETRAYAL WITH ME!.............................................................................................................57
I HAVE EATEN...........................................................................................................................58
BIRTH DAY OF BANGABANDHU SHEIKH MUJIB..............................................................59
YES, YES, VIDEO WOULD HAVE BEEN NICER...................................................................61
TELLING LIES TO SHEIKH HASINA......................................................................................61
IMPORTANCE OF AWAMI LEAGUE’S DECISION...............................................................62
SPEECH TO KEEP THE PUBLIC CALM..................................................................................64
PAPER, PEN, AMMUNITION, EXPLOSIVES AND STRIPPING...........................................65
PROPOSAL TO ARMY CHIEF GENERAL NASIM TO SEIZE POWER...............................67
I WANT DEAD BODIES OF POLICE, DEAD BODIES OF THE MILITARY.......................68
THE TRAITOR IS COMING.......................................................................................................70
THE HERO, THE MINISTER AND THE PEOPLE’S STAGE..................................................72
WE HAVE A PICNIC TODAY...................................................................................................73
MEETING BETWEEN SHEIKH HASINA AND GENERAL NASIM.....................................74
THE HINDUS VOTE FOR THE BOAT......................................................................................75
SELLING THE SEAT TO A RAZAKAR....................................................................................76
HINDUS ARE MY STRENGTH AND HOPE............................................................................77
SHE FLEES AWAY AFTER ORDERING DEPLOYMENT OF THE ARMY.........................78
ABU HENA’S ARRIVAL............................................................................................................83
GOVERNMENT BY CONSENSUS............................................................................................84
ROWSHAN ERSHAD GRABS HER FEET...............................................................................86
SEATS FOR THE BURQA-CLAD WOMEN.............................................................................87
HANIF, MINISTER FOR LGRD.................................................................................................89
EVERYONE HAS A SAD FACE................................................................................................89
TREACHERY WITH ME?..........................................................................................................90
UNBALANCED...........................................................................................................................91
TWO SISTERS DIVIDE THE SPOILS.......................................................................................92
SHARE MARKET SCAM...........................................................................................................93
THOSE SIX FREEDOM FIGHTERS..........................................................................................95
GETTING A DOCTORATE........................................................................................................96
FIRST VISIT TO THE USA........................................................................................................97
FIGHTER PLANE PURCHASE..................................................................................................98
KADER SIDDIQUT VERSUS SHEIKH HASINA...................................................................100
JUSTICE SHAHABUDDIN BECOMES PRESIDENT............................................................102
CASE AGAINST BEGUM KHALEDA ZIA............................................................................104
THE GANGES, HILL TRACTS TREATIES AND TRANSIT TRADE..................................105
DR. MOHIUDDIN ALAMGIR BECOMING MINISTER........................................................107
DECLARATION ABOUT BEING UNDESIRABLE...............................................................108
SHIEKH MUJIB’S PICTURE ON 10 TAKA NOTE................................................................108
NONE KILLED BY SHOTS FIRED BY THE POLICE...........................................................109
RELATIONS WITH LEADERS AND ADVISERS..................................................................112
NATION OF DOGS...................................................................................................................113
ZILLUR RAHNIAN’S APPOINTMENT AS GENERAL SECRETARY................................114
MONEY AND DEAD BODIES.................................................................................................114
SEPARATE LIVES OF HASINA AND DR. WAZED.............................................................116
WHY HINDUS SUPPORT AWAMI LEAGUE........................................................................118
REMITTANCES.........................................................................................................................118
WITHDRAWAL OF VAT.........................................................................................................119
GAMES.......................................................................................................................................119
LIKINGS AND DISLIKINGS...................................................................................................120
PRIORITY IN ISSUING INSTRUCTIONS..............................................................................120
THERE WAS NO LEADER......................................................................................................121
SPEAKS WITHOUT THINKING.............................................................................................121
KING, PRESIDENT, PRIME MINISTER.................................................................................122
PROMISES.................................................................................................................................122
YES MADAM, CORRECT MADAM.......................................................................................123
AUNT AND NIECE DO IT!......................................................................................................124
WHO HAS TO BE HONEST FIRST.........................................................................................124
TALKING IN THE SAME TUNE.............................................................................................126
HAS NOT LEARNT ANY LESSON.........................................................................................126
INTRODUCTION

I feel that if one knows the facts of the past or history, a proper direction for the future will
suggest itself.

Only those events with which I was directly associated or which I am personally aware of have
been narrated in the book. However, I have additional information and knowledge beyond what
is written. Indeed I have.

Ordinary mortals like us have to realize that those who run the country or do politics do not
necessarily understand or know more than we do. We, the ordinary folks have perhaps more
practical intelligence or realistic ideas regarding certain matters. It is absolutely true as far as it
relates to politicians and administrators of Bangladesh.

My efforts at writing this book originated from my intention to disclose to the common people
how mean, heinous, greedy and small minded some people at very high places are.

After a lot of thinking on the desirability of writing such a book for the present and future
generations of citizens of Bangladesh, I decided to tell the people the unadulterated truth and
realities behind the curtain of politics, so that this could be of benefit to them.

Some of the readers may sternly rebuke me and even may like to give me the harshest
punishment. And some readers may on the country become more careful and in future proceed
in their political career with cauti5n and care.

What the readers would do is their business. But we thought that publishing the book is our
responsibility.

In consideration of the grave danger that we may face, most people with whom we discussed
the issue of publication advised that the book should be published when Sheikh Hasina would
no longer remain the Prime Minister of Bangladesh. But we-my wife and I-could not agree with
this point of view as we thought that there would be neither honour nor courage in divulging
somebody’s past secrets (of Sheikh Hasina) at a time when she had fallen from power.
That is why, in spite of the dangers and difficulties that may have to be faced in the future, we,
depending on the Almighty Allah, decided to publish the book during Sheikh Hasina’s rule. Life
is a constant struggle; so why should one accept defeat! Who can cause harm, if the Almighty
protects!

Readers may think that we (husband and wife) decided to write like this as Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina had officially declared us ‘undesirable’. This line of thinking is quite correct.
Perhaps we would not have begun writing this book if Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had not
treacherously used the state apparatus and instructed the police, CID, DB, IB, NSI, DGFI and
other Government agencies to enforce the declaration. Whatever we have written in this book
are facts and correct. We sincerely thank Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for arousing such
thoughts in us. We are grateful to her for the illegal order, for it triggered our efforts at revealing
the truth. It is not only unconstitutional and illegal to officially declare a citizen ‘undesirable’, it is
in gross violation of the oath that the Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) had taken.

On June 23, 1996 at 7-30 PM, in the Durbar hall of the Bangabhaban, while taking the oath for
the office of the Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina said — “I solemnly declare that I will perform the
responsibilities of the Prime Minister as per provisions of the Constitution and the laws of the
land. I will have unflinching faith and loyalty towards Bangladesh. I shall protect and support the
Constitution and provide security. Without fear or favour, love or hatred I will conduct the my
duties.”

Politics is for giving, not for taking from the people. On this issue, we fought with Sheikh Hasina
for long sixteen years, from the day she returned home form exile on May 17, 1981 (during the
presidency of Ziaur Rahman and a few days before his death) till January 15, 1997, when she
threw us out. Our determination to speak out the truth rendered us dangerous to Sheikh Hasina
and her family.

As a person, Sheikh Hasina is dishonest, unethical, hypocrite and without any scruples or
conviction. How can she be honest and dependable in matters of state?
SHEIKH HASINA IN POLITICS

Because of the leadership of unintelligent, compromising and unfit people with Malek Ukil at the
helm of the Awami League and Obaidul Kader in charge of the Students League, dedicated
workers were highly disappointed and angry. In this situation, character and role of Abdur
Razzak came to be questioned. In the meantime, the rd Awami League convention was held
3
and there was a sharp contest for leadership and posts of President and General Secretary
between Razzak and Tofail Groups. In this competition, despite Malek's support to Razzak,
Tofail decided not to give up the race for leadership. Consequently, Awami League faced
disintegration. Already, under the leadership of Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury a small splinter
group of the Awami League had formed a separate Awami League party. The Awami League
conference was held in the midst of battle for leadership. Having perceived an unfavourable
situation and in order to counter the opposition in the Party itself, Razzak brought in Sheikh
Hasina, daughter of Sheikh Mujib, to be installed as the President of the Awami League. Razzak
hoped that Shaikh Hasina, the non-political daughter of Shaikh Mujib, would always remain
dependent upon him. During the lifetime of Shaikh Mujib, his son Shaikh Kamal, nephew Shaikh
Moni, Shaikh Salim and sometimes Shaikh Jamal used to poke in or get involved in politics, but
never did Shaikh Hasina tread her feet on politics. Though recently some claims have been
made that Shaikh Hasina was a Vice-President. of the students body of the Eden Women’s
University. But she herself had never made any such claim. Rather, the fact that Shaikh Hasina
was never a member of the Central Committee of the Students League used to be repeated by
her at many functions of the Students League.

Besides, Shaikh Hasina was a woman, inexperienced in politics and had been non-political. All
these considerations prompted Abdur Razzak and others to make Shaikh Hasina the President
of the Awami League so that she could be made to play a second fiddle to the wishes of Abdur
Razzak and his friends. In the past, dedicated, idealist and self-sacrificing leaders and workers
of the organization lost much confidence in the leadership of Abdur Razzak due to the latter’s
help to Malek Ukil to be President of the Awami League and to Obaidul Kader President of the
Students League. There was a sigh of relief as Shaikh Hasina, the daughter of Shaikh Mujib,
was being made President of the Awami League. As the Army Generals started unlawful and
unwanted interference in politics and started to exercise influence over the public, we, the
warriors of 71 and of 75, began to contemplate an alternative Force to the Army. During political
training of students they were taught that students were a stronger Force than the Army.
Students were told that the Army is armed but uneducated, whereas students are unarmed and
educated. The Army personnel live in the barracks in cantonment and the students live in the
hostels of educational institutions. The Army opposes the people and work against the interests
of the people. Students, on the other hand, support the people and are ready to sacrifice their
lives for them. There would be a war in the future and in that war, uneducated Army would be
defeated by the educated cadres of students.

After (retired) Major General Khalilur Rahman and (retired) Colonel Shawkat Ali joined the
Awami League, Rezaul Baqi, Golam Mostafa Khan Miraj. Abdus Samad Pintu, the late
Hedayetul Islam Kajal , Mobarak Hossain Selim and a few others discussed the situation and
decided to form an organization of freedom fighters. Accordingly, Freedom Fighters Solidarity
Organization composed of freedom fighters of 71 and 75 with Colonel Shawkat Ali as its
Convener was formed. Our sight was fixed on the Cantonment.

Our aim was to occupy Dhaka Cantonment. In order to attain that objective, we had to expand
our organizational activities and political training. We started to motivate the youth and the
students to participate in the coming social revolution and to be prepared to make the supreme
sacrifice, if needed. To bring about a revolution one may have to incur heavy personal loss. But
one must not take into account that loss. Revolution through personal losses brings about good
for the society and promotes a better life for the next generation. At this stage of our activities
we were joined by a few freedom fighter military officers, who had participated in the abortive
coup staged by General Khaled Mosharraf on 3 November 75. Among those who joined us
were Lt. Col. A.H.M. Ghaffar Bir Bikram (dismissed from the Army following the abortive coup of
3 November and later became Minister of Commerce of President Hussain Muhammad
Ershad), Major Nasir (newspaper columnist and husband of the distinguished artist Lutfun
Nahar Lata) and Captain Hafiizullah. Captain Ghaffar always used to take classes in English. In
one class he taught, there is only enjoyment in consumption or acquisition but no satisfaction. In
sacrifice, there are both happiness and satisfaction. On 17 May, ‘81 when Shaikh Hasina, the
non-political daughter of Bangabandhu Shaikh Mujibur Rahman, returned home as the
President of the Awami League the workers and people accorded unparalleled reception at the
airport.
THIS ZIA IS NOT THAT ZIA

Three or four days after her return we had a meeting with Shaikh Hasina. At the outset, Shaikh
Hasina told student leaders and freedom fighters that from today onwards we would have to
start the publicity campaign that this “Zia is not that Zia.” In other words, the present freedom
fighter President Ziaur Rahman is not the same one, who had declared independence. Sheikh
Hasina said, refering to Goebbels, the Information Adviser to Hitler, “if you can successfully
publicize that this Zia is not that Zia who had declared independence, then one day people will
come to believe it.” Someone from amongst us asked, in that case who shall we call this Zia’?
Shaikh Hasina replied, “there is no need to go into so much of talks; you will only say this Zia is
not the same Zia.” At this, we all became surprised, whispered and laughed among ourselves.
But we never propagated the lesson given by Shaikh Hasina, ‘this Zia is not that Zia.”

ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT ZIA

On 23 and 24 May 81, an urgent secret meeting of freedom fighters of 71 and 75 and some
former members of the Army was held in the seminar room of the T.S.C. of Dhaka University. In
that meeting, Colonel Shawkat Ali (at present Awamni League M.P. and an accused in the
Agartala Conspiracy case) informed the meeting of the plan to assassinate freedom fighter
President Ziaur Rahman and told what to do during and after the killing. Colonel Shawkat Ali
said that under the leadership of the G.O.C. Chittagong Major General Manzur Bir Uttam Zia
would be killed and that our leader Shaikh Hasina had the knowledge of this plan for
assassination. Our leader had instructed us to help and play a role in this plan.

Awami League President Shaikh Hasina had returned home only a few days ago; how could
she give a directive of this nature? When asked, Colonel Shawkat replied that Shaikh Hasina
had been informed while she had been out of the country in India. When asked as to what we
were to do during and after the killing, Colonel Shawkat said that we would have to stay in
Chittagong and Dhaka; those who would be in Chittagong should take the responsibility of
coming to Dhaka after collecting arms from General Manzur; and those who could be in Dhaka
should establish control over important places like radio and television centers with these
weapons. In reply to a question from one of us, he said that anytime from now the assassination
could take place.
As soon as Ziaur Rahman would visit Chittagong, he would be killed. Colonel Shawkat also said
that until Zia was killed, Chief of Staff of the Army Gcneral H.M.Ershad and other Generals in
Dhaka as well as Colonel Mahfuzur Rahman of the President’s Guard Regiment would remain
with the leader of the uprising, General Manzur. After the assassination, they would be divided.
The Generals of Dhaka and the repatriated officers and troops from Pakistan would remain with
the chief of staff. On the other side, General Manzur would give leadership to the freedom
fighter officers and troops of Chittagong. After the killing of General Zia, there would be a fight
between the troops loyal to General Ershad and those loyal to General Manzur. In this battle,
one side would be totally defeated by the other, though the victor would be very week. At this
moment, we should attack the weak victors and defeat them. This was our task during and after
the assassination.

In this secret and urgent meeting were present about 70 or 75 people, including Colonel
Ghaffar, Major Nasir, Captain Hafiz and a few others, who had a role in the uprising on 3
November 75. In this meeting we were divided into three groups. One group was given the
responsibility of going to Chittagong to collect weapons from General Manzur. The second
group of about 30 or 35 pet-sons was entrusted with the work of travelling all over the country to
inform the plan and to prepare all anti-Zia freedom fighters to take any type of action. The rest
belonging to the third group would stay in Dhaka, and make preparation for action.

After President Ziaur Rahman arrived Chittagong a few Army officers under the leadership of
General Manzur organized the uprising and at the dawn of 30th November killed freedom fighter
Ziaur Rahman in the Chittagong Circuit House with little opposition. Yet, the troops and the
general public rejected this killing. Officers obedient to General Manzur occupied Chittagong
Radio and Television centers and kept these under their control. On this side in Dhaka, Chief of
the Army General Ershad, General Mir Shawkat Bir Uttam, General Rahman and other officers
and troops took position against General Manzur.

To counter General Manzur, GOC of Comilla Mainamati Cantonment Brigadier Mabmudul
Hasan was sent towards Chittagong in Brigade strength. Brigadier Hasan took position on the
Dhaka side of Shuvapur Bridge on Chittagong road. On the other side of the bridge Captain
Dost Mohammad, loyal to General Manzur, took position with his troops in order to oppose
Brigadier Mabmudul Hasan’s advance. In Dhaka there was widespread agitation, processions
and meetings in protest of the killing of President Ziaur Rabman. On hearing about the